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What are archetypes and stereotypes ... and where should my own characters fall?

Aim for a spot somewhere in the middle. The line between archetype and stereotype can become perilously close. Archetypes can turn into stereotypes by being overused. First, be sure you understand what an archetype is. Here are some, which will help to grasp the concept. (How to write unforgettable characters is a massive subject. We're going to tickle it on this page, but when you're ready to grasp this particular bull by the horns, take Creating Characters 101, on this page!)

Mother figure/female authority figure. Mary. Galadriel. Gwenevere. Hera, Hestia, Demeter. Queen Elizabeth I. Spiderman's Aunt. Captain Janeway. The good witch of the north. The crone, or wise woman, with all the answers as well as the comfort and compassion. Again, the archetype slithers into the stereotype if you let it.

The rogue warrior (almost always male male active: dark ... the antihero).Ares. Achilles. Wolverine. Magneto. Han Solo. Mad Max. Boromir. Anakin Skywalker. Bruce Wayne. Captain Nemo. They have a streak of the dark as well as the light; their allegiance could fall either way. Work out how to write the character without him becoming the cliche.

There are many, many more archetypes, and just as many stereotypes, but you get the picture:

The hustler with the heart of gold; the beautiful but dumb young person of whatever gender; the naughty child who does stupid things as a catalyst to the plot; the teen who won't listen to reason and gets into trouble; the town drunk; the lecherous priest; the nasty teacher who's abusing kids; the kindly old lady who rescues stray cats; the ugly woman who's easy prey to any young guy intending to fleece her; the brainless barbarian warrior; the snivelling, cowardly thief; the virgin bride kidnapped before the wedding; the defrocked priest; the lecherous nun seducing some guy; the Arab terrorist; the dim-bulb Irishman; the Afro-American rapper, out of whose mouth you can't understand a word; the perfect hero; the corrupt politician; the butt-kicking babe who's too small and skinny to do any of this, but she sure looks cute in a movie; the lispingly effeminate gay guy who works in a frock shop; the femme fatal bursting out of the tight ruby-red down; the sassy little kid with the smart mouth; the big, butch gay gal astride the Harley-Davidson; the tired, middle-aged housewife immersed in romance novels...

How to write good characters is a subject we sink our teeth into in this whole series of posts, but you've got a good grasp of what the archetypes and stereotypes are — and in fact, they're fairly easy to avoid. Just identify who they are, get a lasso around them, get them into the corral and lock 'em in there!

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Mel Keegan, Doctor Mike, Jade and Aricia Gavriel blog about the writing and publishing business, keeping no secrets, answering readers' questions with a wealth of information, and offering newcomers to the trade about half a century's worth of combined experience!